Sorry for my ignorance but I need your help!
I never had a land rover, I found a nice opportunity for a LR Discovery I, 1999, TDi 2.5. I saw it and everything seems fine and the owner seems a passionate, he has 2 Disco II. The car has about 79000 km. It was imported from Japan.

I am in East Timor and here we need 4x4, cars are usually expensive because of the inflation and we find mostly Pajeros and Landcruisers... No LR dealer only mechanics that might know how to fix things and probably most part need to be bought from Australia, Singapour or the US.

I've read they can be or are very unreliable, well is it true? The car seemed fine and well cared of, but I am no specialist and neither a mechanic.....That's why I am asking. Do you have any tips based from your experience or knowledge?

Here is the link for the add www.EXPATDILI.com "a place to live - a place to love" • View topic - LAND ROVER - For Sale

Thank you in advance, every advices are welcome

 

read this thread

https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...scovery-21328/

 

And you will need the free download of tech manuals, with electrical, shop, owners guide, and body/interior - it is called the RAVE.

The Rovers need things maintained, like oil and grease. Fairly simple stuff, many previous owners ignored them.

 

Thank you very much for your advices. Well, according to the owner, he changed the oil regularly, there is no way to see what kind of work has been done on the disco as there is no record.

I will bring it to a mechanics, what do you think I should ask for him to check as a priority?

THanks

 

pressure test the block, test battery and alternator levels, and check color of diff, tranny and tc fluids.

 

Thanks, but I am really new in this, could you give me more details of this. I will have to translate it in local language....

Thank you very much.

 

I would suggest that you get something with knowledgeable local mechanics for it, and parts sources in East Timor.
I've been driving and working on Land Rovers for over 35 years and sometimes they just aren't the best choice of whatever reason. It sounds to me like your location and experience might be better suited to something more common.

 

Well, I know I may be should take something different but I have a feeling it might be actually a good one...I went to the mecanic, and they have experience with Land Rover so that's a good point, they use to service the UN Landrovers. In East Timor they have a bad reputation as they seemed to have lots of problems with the engine head gasket (he showed me the part), but for the rest he said it is quite easy. He mentioned that it is a very expensive piece to get in Timor (something like 3500$) - Well I looked on different website and it is cheaper (160$). No check was done on the car, as I need to make appointment.

To be honest, I am tempted, as I feel the car is in good shape. Nothing seems to leak, no weird noise. I will still take it for a real test drive in some trails.

Also, this car if I buy it, will be used 90% of the time buy my wife in the city and only during week ends and holidays we will go for some little expeditions to visit the country....

I still need to meditate on it and look at other cars....that's way opinions are necessary.

Thanks.

 

Hi, here are some pix from the engine and other parts:

could you tell me if she looks ok or what should I pay attention for? This in order to know what she is worth and where I am getting into.

I believe no service was ever done besides oil changes.....she drives good and no weird noise...the back windows don't work though.

Thank you.

 

Here are some more....
Thank you!